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Here’s a peek at the constantly shifting automotive future. As our radar screen’s needle sweeps across the next five model years, a picture is brought into focus by way of spy photographs and whispered conversations overheard from around the globe. In most areas, the vision provided is sharp and clearly defined. In other spots, it’s out of focus or even missing fragments. Generally, the nearer the date, the firmer the engineering plan and schedule. Further out, depending upon fast-changing market demands, prototype vehicles are modified, powertrains are swapped, or vehicle programs are canceled completely. But this snapshot is our very best idea about what your automotive future holds.

Audi: Aluminum-intensive A8 luxo-sedan arrives in U.S. as top of Audi line. A4 adds a new four-cylinder 20-valve turbo engine and a wagon variant, while A6 sedan is mildly freshened buick: Park Avenue and Park Avenue Ultra are redesigned on the G-platform. Park is still powered by the 3800 V-6 and supercharged 3800 V-6 engines. All-new Century (MS2000) is released with fully independent rear suspension and is powered exclusively by 3.1-liter V-6.

Cadillac: Catera, the rear-drive entry-level sedan, joins the lineup. DeVille and Concours receive a light exterior freshening that smoothes and simplifies their lines…

Chevrolet/Geo: Based on the new P90 platform, the four-cylinder, front-drive Malibu slips under Lumina to compete directly against Japan’s smaller, “midsize” models. Lumina Minivan is redone and rechristened Venture. It remains front drive, but returns to all-steel construction with 3.4-liter V-6 for power. Camaro is freshened, while {{{Geo Tracker}}} and Prizm are restyled. Beretta and Corsica are dropped.

Dodge: Viper GTS Coupe reaches showrooms with more power and dual airbags but no ABS. Aluminum helps keep its weight under control. New GTS Ram pickup, Dodge’s answer to Ford’s Lightning, sports close to 300 horses from its 5.9-liter Magnum V-8. All-new Dakota pickup looks a great deal like a more athletic version of the Ram with V-8 power and extended cab versions.

Ford: Escort sedan and wagon, built on the current platform, receive new styling, dual airbags, and four-wheel anti-lock brakes; a sport-coupe version arrives late in the year with a more powerful 2.0-liter DOHC four. Contour gets improved rear seat room and revamped nose and tail. Expedition (UN93), a full-size four-door sport/utility that replaces the current Bronco, is available with 5.4-liter Modular V-8. Windstar is redone, adding a large, left-side door. Taurus SHO with its balance-shaft-equipped 3.4-liter V-8 finally arrives. Econoline van arrives with 6.8-liter V-10. On sale since early 1996 is the all-new ’97 “aero-look” F-150 pickup.

Hyundai: Scoupe is replaced with Elantra-based 2+2; Porsche-design suspension and 150-horsepower four make it worth noticing….

Infiniti: All-new Q45 and luxury sport/utility based on new unibody Pathfinder are due….

Isuzu: Rodeo sport/utility gets restyled inside and out, but retains current mechanicals, all of which it shares with {{{Honda Passport}}} aguar: Veteran XJS is replaced by new XK8 coupe and convertible models, both fitted with all-new 4.0-liter DOHC V-8 engine that makes about 300 horsepower.

Mercury: Tracer gets the same major exterior redo as Escort with cost-reduction changes to suspension hardware and platform; a sport-coupe model arrives late in 1997. Mountaineer, the V-8-engined Explorer-based midsize 4×4 sport/utility is introduced. Mystique’s exterior is freshened and rear seat room is slightly improved

Oldsmobile: Cutlass name replaces Ciera nameplate on the same (P90) platform as Buick Century. Olds version gets 3.1-liter V-6. Silhouette (U2) minivan gets same major revamp as its Chevy and Pontiac counterparts. Ninety-Eight model is dropped

Saturn: The franchise gets all-new coupe with softly rounded curves similar to the look the sedans received in ’96. Some Saturn dealers in Arizona and California sell GM’s EV1 electric two-seater starting fall 1996.

Subaru: Impreza receives modest reskin. Expect more power and torque from the 2.5-liter engine in all Legacy models.

Suzuki: Sidekick sport/utility is restyled.

Toyota: Camry gets major reskin, but maintains most of its current mechanicals. Tercel is scheduled for minor tweaking.

1998Audi: New A6 will arrive, in both sedan and wagon body styles. A4 will get a wagon as well, and possibly a cabriolet.

Bentley/Rolls-Royce: New P600 platform will be shared by both vehicles. Bodies will be more aerodynamic. Each will have a unique BMW-derived engine; Bentley gets 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8, Rolls gets 5.4-liter V-12.

BMW: New-generation 3-Series is due. A Z3 coupe will join the roadster; both models will offer BMW’s 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine. Also expect a new iteration of the luxo-sport 6-Series, based on the 5-Series platform; a coupe and convertible are expected, both powered by existing 4.4-liter V-8….

Buick: Regal replacement will be built on the GMX170 platform and powered by 3.8-liter V-6. New Skylark, based on GMX130 platform, also will arrive….

Chrysler: Concorde will receive major exterior tear-up and SLA front suspension will be fitted. LHS redesign is due based on Concorde platform with possible all-aluminum 3.5-liter V-6 or 4.0-liter V-8. 1995’s stunning Chrysler Atlantic show car is a production possibility, although probably not with its straight-eight (two Neon engines end-to-end)….

Daewoo: Korean automaker is slated to enter the U.S. market with a new compact and subcompact sedan….

Dodge: Dakota-based (DN) sport/ute introduced with V-8 power. Intrepid to be redesigned, with SLA front suspension and bodywork reminiscent of Intrepid ESX show car (see story in this issue). Avenger and Stratus will get a freshening. Ram Van is slated for a major exterior redesign….

Ferrari: F555 replaces F512 M. This all-new front-engine/rear-drive GT will be powered by a 5.5-liter/550-horse 60-valve V-12 and is planned to spawn a Spider variant within one year of its intro date….

Ford: New Probe due based on Contour platform. Mustang and Aspire will be freshened. Thunderbird will be completely redesigned on a modified Taurus front-drive platform and might possibly be fitted with a V-6 derived from the DOHC V-8 used in the SHO. F-250 and F-350 pickups will get new rounded look and 6.8-liter V-10 option. A “Suburban-style” crew wagon also is scheduled to arrive. Aerostar will be either face lifted or dropped. Explorer is due for a mild reskinning and the Modular V-8. Ranger also will be freshened, and could receive Modular V-8….

GMC: Jimmy will be revamped, and like Blazer, it could go unibody and carry a new small-block Gen III V-8….

Kia: Upscale midsize sedan based on the home-market Credos will join the lineup; power will be derived from 2.5-liter V-6. In fall 1997, Kia may introduce a two-seater based on the departed {{{Lotus Elan}}}. Kia purchased the tooling for this car and is showing a concept version called the KMS-II….

Land Rover: Entry-level CB40 “Odin” added to lineup. Discovery will be reskinned/revised and Range Rover will get face-lift….

Lincoln: Navigator (UN173) full-size sport/utility will arrive with 5.4-liter Modular V-8 as standard along with dual airbags and four-wheel anti-lock brakes; Continental will be freshened, and Mark VIII reskinned for a more “angular” look…

Mazda: All-new 626 platform due (and MX-6 if it makes the cut). Miata, Millenia, and B-Series pickup to be face lifted….

Mercedes-Benz: SLK roadster, powered by 2.3-liter/190-horsepower supercharged four, will arrive in the U.S. in early 1997 as a ’98. New E-Class coupe replacement also due here, combining current C- and E-Class hardware; base engine will be E320’s 3.2-liter inline-six, but 4.2-liter V-8 is expected to be an option. Station wagon model will join U.S. E-Class lineup. New All-Activity Vehicle (AAV) will feature choice of V-6 or V-8, independent suspension, slick all-wheel-drive systems with low range, and dual airbags. Tentatively priced to start in the mid-$30,000 range, AAV goes on sale in summer 1997….

Oldsmobile: Intrigue will be introduced on GMX127 platform and powered by a 3.4-liter DOHC V-6. Later, an all-aluminum 3.5-liter multivalve V-6 similar in architecture to the Cadillac Northstar V-8 will arrive. New Alero (GMX130) is planned to replace Achieva, with handling and ride upgrades. Aurora gets a mild freshening. Bravada could go to unibody platform and finally get a V-8….

Plymouth: Breeze will be face lifted and receive a modest equipment upgrade. Prowler retro hot rod will arrive in spring 1997 with a 250-horsepower V-6 and aluminum-intensive bodywork; it will be labeled a ’98 model….

Pontiac: Grand Am will be redesigned on the new (GMX130) small-car platform. Sunfire is due for a face-lift. Sport/utility vehicle, called “Montana,” is possible; platform undetermined….

Porsche: 911 will give way to 996. The new car will be slightly larger but lighter and will retain the rear-engine configuration with choice of 3.0-liter/250-horse or 3.2-liter/275-horse flat-sixes paired with either six-speed manual or six-speed Tiptronic trans….

Saab: All-new 9000 sedan to arrive with sleeker appearance; base engine will be 3.0-liter V-6, with turbocharged versions optional including a revolutionary variable-displacement engine. The 900 will be restyled….

Subaru: Legacy-derived Outback will be redone to create an all-wheel-drive vehicle with more of the look of a conventional small sport/ute….

Toyota: Previa to be replaced by Camry-based minivan built in Kentucky; will likely bear some resemblance to Toyota Ipsum show car. Celica and Corolla are set for a cosmetic update and Paseo could get a convertible….

Volkswagen: Golf/Jetta will get replacements with emphasis on rounder, more conventional shapes for broader market appeal….

Volvo: Expect a major revamp of the 850 line, highlighted by addition of an all-wheel-drive wagon and slick new coupe and cabriolet models.

BMW: New M6 variant is probable. Also rumored: a low-volume, ultrahigh-performance V-12 roadster….

Buick: LeSabre replacement, based on revised G-platform, is due; it could be a rear-drive model….

Cadillac: Catera’s replacement will be built on a revised G-platform; it likely will be rear-drive with four-wheel independent suspension and powered by a V-8 of about 4.0 liters….

Chevrolet/Geo: All-new full-size C1500 (GMT800) pickup is planned to debut with new Vortec small-block V-8 and all-new electronically controlled transmission. Full-size van will get mild exterior rework. Metro mini-car will be redone….Chrysler: Town & Country minivan will receive mild exterior restyle and possibly new V-6 engine….

Dodge: Ram pickup freshening will include all-new 3.7-liter six and 4.7-liter “New Mack” V-8 engines. Neon will be redesigned, and Caravan will get exterior updating and possibly new V-6 engine….

Ford: Crown Vic redesign with possible move to front-drive is due. Contour will be redesigned and Escort redone on a “world car” platform….GMC: Full-size Sierra redo includes new Vortec V-6 and V-8 engines with electronically controlled transmissions. Face-lift is due for full-size Savana van….

Honda: Odyssey could bereplaced in the U.S. by a larger, V-6-powered minivan that would be built in Canada….

Isuzu: Production version of the Deseo concept vehicle shown at the 1995 Tokyo motor show is likely to come here as the Trooper replacement….

Jaguar: Entry-level (X200) luxury sedan on midsize, rear-drive platform shared with Lincoln will arrive with power provided by a Jag V-8 of about 4.0 liters making between 250 and 270 horsepower….

Jeep: Grand Cherokee (WJ) will be redesigned; engines include all-new 3.7-liter six and 4.7-liter V-8 plus possible turbodiesel. All-new subcompact sport/ute based on a front-drive platform also is being considered….

Mercury: Grand Marquis redo could entail a move to front drive. Mystique and Tracer will undergo same fundamental changes as their Ford Contour and Escort platform-mates. Villager minivan will be redone…

Mitsubishi: Montero is expected to get exterior freshening….

Nissan: Quest minivan, which shares mechanicals with the Mercury Villager, also will be redesigned….

Oldsmobile: Replacement for the Eighty-Eight (GMX160) possibly to be called the Antares, to arrive on a modified G-platform….

Plymouth: Neon will be redone, while Voyager to be freshened and could get a new V-6 engine….

Pontiac: Bonneville (GMX330) replacement will be based on modified G-platform….

Porsche: Arrival of killer 996 Turbo (450 horsepower) will be the big news. A performance-oriented minivan, built in conjunction with a manufacturing partner, is possible….

Saturn: The family will add the “SR,” a midsize sedan based on the Opel Vectra’s platform….

Saab: The 9000 range will be expanded to include wagon model. New small car also could be added to the U.S. lineup….

Subaru: Impreza will be redesigned. SVX could disappear from U.S. lineup….

Volkswagen: Concept 1, the reborn Beetle, will be introduced. This petite front-driver will feature transverse inline-four diesel and gas engines. Other goodies will include dual airbags and anti-lock brakes….

Cadillac: DeVille is redone or replaced by a model with more international flavor. Eldorado moves to G-platform, in coupe and convertible versions….

Chevrolet: Astro (GMT900), Tahoe, and Suburban (GMT830) will be redone. Lumina and Camaro will be replaced, the latter perhaps being spun off a modified version of the G-platform….

Chrysler: Sebring and Cirrus will be redesigned….

Dodge: Neon (PX27) convertible will join the lineup….

Ford: Explorer (UW152) will be redone. Taurus and T-Bird are due for a freshening. Next-generation Mustang is planned to arrive. New Aspire will be designed in Europe and be based on European Fiesta platform….